VIDEO: Senator Patrick Leahy pushes Bill of Rights for digital world

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., is calling for a Bill of Rights for the online world to stop cable companies from charging tech companies more for faster internet. The Vermont Democrat and chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee said at a field hearing Tuesday that the Internet, he believes, was meant to be a free and open place for competition and that a two-tiered speed system would hinder tech start-ups and other small companies from competing with larger companies.

The FCC has backed proposed legislation that would end net neutrality and instead offer a tiered system for internet speeds. Under the proposed changes, companies like Comcast and Verizon would be able to charge companies like Netflix a higher rate to stream video. Some argue that higher fees would hinder growth by start-up companies who wouldn't be able to afford the higher costs.